FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT WILLIAM BLAIR - PAGE 5

The board of Des Plaines Elementary School District 62 has approved a maintenance and equipment purchase contract that will cost $6.9 million over the next 10 years. The contract with Honeywell Inc. covers the purchase, installation and upkeep of heating, air conditioning and ventilation units within the district, said Thomas Buckman, deputy superintendent. The sale of bonds at a 5.5 percent interest rate will pay for a much of the contract, Buckman said. The bond sale will take place through the financial investment company in Chicago, William Blair & Co, he said.

The Children's Home & Aid Society of Illinois has elected James E. Crawford III chairman of the board of trustees. Crawford, general partner of Venture Partnership of William Blair & Company, will serve a one-year term as chairman. Children's Home & Aid Society of Illinois was founded in 1883. It is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian agency which addresses the physical, social and emotional needs of children and families through various means, including residential, foster and day care programs, child and family counseling and adoption services.

The financial adviser on Will County's forest preserve bonds has won approval to triple its fee, over the objections of a forest preserve district board member. "It's excessive and a bill for something we didn`t agree to," said Richard C. Stringham (D., Lockport), who last week voted against raising the fee of William Blair & Co. Stringham was the lone dissenter on the board's Finance Committee when it approved a fee increase for Blair to $29,500 from $9,500.

The Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners has selected William Blair & Co. of Chicago as bond consultants for a proposed replacement for Sunset pool. Information about the proposed pool referendum, which must still be voted on by the board, will be presented at two public hearings, one at 7 p.m. Thursday at Hadley Junior High School, 240 Hawthorne St., and the other at 7 p.m. July 30 at Glenbard South High School, Park Boulevard and Butterfield Road.

Allscrips Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Vernon Hills plans to go public with an offering of 2.73 million common shares for $10 to $12 each through Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and William Blair & Co. Allscrips will use proceeds to repay debt and for working capital, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. For the year ended Dec. 31, Allscrips reported $474,000 in net income, compared with a $2.8 million loss in 1990. The company has applied to have the shares listed on the Nasdaq over-the-counter system, under the symbol ALSP.

Adeline Kalita, age 86, of Wilmette, former longtime resident of Northfield, died Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at Evanston Hospital. Research Assistant with William Blair. Ms. Kalita was very dedicated to her brother and sisters. She enjoyed traveling, especially cruises. Motherly aunt of many nieces, nephews; and grandnieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her one brother and six sisters. Visitation Friday 5 to 9 p.m. at Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home, 1100 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette, IL. Funeral Saturday 9:30 a.m. from the funeral home to St. Joseph Church, 1747 Lake Ave., Wilmette, Mass 10 a.m. Interment St. Adalbert Cemetery.

Binks Sames Corp., Franklin Park maker of spray finishing and coating application equipment, instructed its investment banker, William Blair & Co., to pursue a sale of the company. Binks said it believes pursuing a sale is its best alternative to maximize the value of the business. Binks also said John J. Schornack, 67, retired as chairman. Donald G. Meyer, 63, a director, was named chairman. Meyer is the former dean of Loyola University of Chicago's School of Business Administration.

Baldwin Piano & Organ Co. priced its initial public offering of 1.15 million common shares at $11 a share. Baldwin, based in Loveland, Ohio, manufactures keyboard musical instruments and manufactures or distributes all major product classes of pianos and electronic organs. In June, 1984, the company purchased the music-related assets of a number of subsidiaries of Baldwin-United Corp., which was operating under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Underwriters for the offering are led by William Blair & Co.

John P. Casey, 92, late of Ocala, Florida, beloved husband of the late Catherine, nee Walls; loving father of John W.; dear brother of the late Nora Black and brother-in-law of William (Miriam) Casey. Funeral services Wednesday 11 a.m. at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elmwood, IL. Mr. Casey was a former employee of William Blair & Co. and a decorated World War II Veteran. Arrangements locally through Jerome Zimny Funeral Home, 16774 Dixie Hwy., Hazel Crest, IL. For info: 708-335-0116.